Zeenews Bureau
Mumbai, Nov 27: Preliminary investigations on Thursday pointed to involvement of at least some Pakistani nationals in the serial terror attacks in Mumbai that left over 100 dead and 300 others injured.
"There are indications that the perpetrators of the crime, who arrived in Mumbai by boats, are Pakistani nationals," authoritative sources said.
The indications are based on information gathered from captured terrorists, the sources said.
Sources added that the militants may have arrived from Karachi four days ago to Gujarat from where they headed to Mumbai on a speed boat, probably on Tuesday. Security forces are also not ruling out the possibility of the presence of few others in the city.
According to sources, who spoke to Zee News, there might have ten Pakistanis in the group who attacked various places of Mumbai. Sources also added that these assailants may have received their arms training across the border.
Maharashtra deputy chief minister R R Patil, who also holds the Home portfolio, said revealing detailed information on the terror strikes could prove detrimental at this juncture.
"We have total clues. But disclosing information would not help the case," Patil said. "This is an attack on the country. We will disclose information at an appropriate time," he said.
Meanwhile, there are reports that Colaba police have impounded four boats allegedly used by the terrorists to reach the Mumbai coast.
Manhunt on to nab terrorists
Maharashtra Police and Indian Army personnel launched a massive manhunt early on Thursday morning to nab some of the terrorists, who have fled, responsible for the deadly terror attack on Mumbai. The terrorists are reportedly associated with Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), a militant group based in Pakistan.
Police officials have also released the registration number of the cars in which the terrorists fled. The numbers are MH012 A1202 and MH01 BA 5179. Anybody having information of these cars can report sighting at 022-2937755, 24937747.
A suspected terrorist is being interrogated, who was held this morning. He is said to be associated with LeT.
Meanwhile, the death toll is climbing steadily. The latest figure is close to 100 among who are nine foreigners. The attack has also left over 300 people injured.
All roads linking south Mumbai with the rest of the metropolis have been barricaded. The Elite Rapid Action Force (RAF) has been pressed into action and the targeted locations have been cordoned off.
A nationwide alert has been sounded and all airports in the country have been put on high-security surveillance following the attacks.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh described the serial blasts and the ongoing encounter with terrorists at the two hotels in the city as the “most audacious attack”.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi had called him and expressed concern over the incident.